Personalized body image

ABSTRACT

Delivery of health information to a patient suffering from a chronic condition is personalized by displaying the health information directly on a customized image of a body. The patient&#39;s medical record, standards of care for the condition, prescribed treatments, and patient input are applied to a generalized health model of a disease to generate a personalized health model of the patient. The personalized health model comprises an HTML file encoding an image map of a body. The body image illustrates the health condition of the individual patient. Preferably, data is collected from health provider sources and stored in a database on a server at a service provider site. The data is processed at the server, and is displayed in the patient&#39;s home using a TV connected to a multimedia processor. The multimedia processor connects the television set to a communications network such as the Internet. Applications include preventive care of chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/610,044, filedDec. 13, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/755,037,filed Jan. 9, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/761,337,filed Jan. 16, 2001, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 09/441,408, filed Nov. 16, 1999, now abandoned, which is acontinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/784,740, filed Jan. 16, 1997, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,032,119, issued Feb. 29, 2000, each of which are incorporatedby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to computer systems for managing health care, andin particular to a system and method for displaying personalized healthinformation to a patient having a chronic disease or health condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The health care community has recognized in recent years the importanceof prevention care in managing patients' health. Preventive care isparticularly important in managing the health of patients having chronicdiseases or long-term conditions. Preventive care includes educatingpatients about their disease, ensuring communication between patientsand health care providers (e.g., doctors), and providing patients withtools and/or treatments for managing their disease.

Commonly used preventive care approaches suffer from several drawbacks.Much of health care is voluntary, and thus a large fraction of healthcare resources is typically spent on patients who are actively seekinvolvement in their care. A large number of patients do not activelyseek information and treatment in the absence of symptoms, however.Also, health providers receive very little information on whetherpatients are complying with preventive care guidelines. Thus, healthproviders often are not able to take remedial steps before the diseaseaffects the patients symptomatically (e.g., through pain). Reachingpassive patients is thus critical to delivering effective preventivecare.

The mass-marketing techniques used for health education by most healthmaintenance organizations (HMOs) and insurance companies allow littlecustomization of information to an individual patient's needs.Consequently, many patients may not directly identify with theeducational approaches used by their health providers. Personalizinghealth education would significantly raise the effectiveness ofpreventive care, especially in children and adolescents.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,117 describes a system for communicating healthinformation between health providers and patients having a chronicdisease such as asthma. A patient unit displays health information, andcommunicates health information between the patient and a healthprovider. The display is relatively impersonal, however.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide apersonalized display of a health condition of a patient, such that thepatient identifies with the display. It is another object of thisinvention to provide a method of motivating a patient to follow aprescribed treatment regimen. It is yet another object of this inventionto provide a health data display that can be easily comprehended. It isstill another object of this invention to provide a system and methodfor involving patients in their own care, for providing feedback topatients about their health condition, and for monitoring patients'progress in managing their health condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system of the present invention comprises a set of inputs, aprocessing means in communication with the inputs, and a display meansin communication with the processing means. The set of inputs generate aset of data {D[j]}, j=1 . . . J. A datum D[j] of the set {D[j]}characterizes a personal health condition of a patient. The processingmeans generates a personalized health model of the patient from ageneralized health model of the patient and from the data set {D[j]}.The display means generates a display comprising a body image. The bodyimage illustrates the personalized health model.

The personalized health model is a parameterized model of the health ofthe individual patient under treatment. The personalized health model isdefined by a set of parameters {P[k]}, k=1 . . . K. The generalizedhealth model is a model of the disease or condition under treatment. Thegeneralized health model is defined by a set of functions {f[k]} thatspecify the dependence of {P[k]} on {D[j]}. That is, P[k]=f[k] ({D[j]})for all k. The processing means assigns values to the parameters {P[k]}using the data {D[j]}. Parameters suitable for characterizing variousdiseases include condition of a body part/organ, blood glucose level,respiratory flow, blood pressure, cholesterol level, patient weight,T-cell count, and frequency of health episodes.

The set of inputs comprises a medical record of the patient, as well asrecords of: a standard of care for the general health condition ordisease of the patient, a prescribed treatment of the patient, a displaypreference, a personal profile of the patient. The set of inputs furthercomprises a patient identification means (preferably a card) connectedto the display means. The patient identification means specifies theidentity of the patient corresponding to a particular display. Thepatient identification means also specifies a prescribed treatment ofthe patient and an address of the processing means, allowing acommunication between the display means and the processing means. Theset of inputs also comprises a patient feedback means (preferably akeyboard) in communication with the processing means, for allowing thepatient to communicate a subset of feedback data to the processingmeans. The feedback means also allows the patient to enter a subset ofsimulation data characterizing a simulated personal health condition ofthe patient.

The display means preferably comprises a television set, and amultimedia processor for connecting the television set to the processingmeans. The display comprises a section assigned to a parameter P[k]. Inparticular, the body image comprises a section assigned to a parameterP[k]. A set of characteristics of the body image match a set ofpredetermined physical characteristics, such that the patient is able tocustomize the appearance of the body image. Such physicalcharacteristics include age, height, gender, weight, skin color, andhair color. In a particular embodiment, the body image comprises areproduction of an image of the patient (e.g., a photograph of thepatient). In another embodiment, the body image comprises an image of afictional character.

Preferably, the processing means is in communication with the displaymeans over a remote network, such that the processing means is able tohandle processing for multiple display means located at differentpatient locations. The processing means is in communication with atleast some of the inputs over a remote network. Processing means at aservice provider location can thus access inputs at a health careprovider location. A data aggregation means (preferably a database) isin communication with at least some of the inputs and with theprocessing means. The data aggregation means collects a subset of thedata set {D[j]} from the set of inputs, allowing a reduction in thenumber of direct connections between the processing means and theinputs. The data aggregation means is in communication with the displaymeans over a remote network, so that the data aggregation means storesdata for multiple patients.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the architecture of a system for health informationdelivery in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates processing steps performed on medical and other datato generate a personalized display of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative architecture of a system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4-A depicts the functions of a setup wizard in an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4-B illustrates the functions of a body image module of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4-C shows the functions of a blood glucose center module of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4-D shows the functions of a logbook module of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4-E shows the functions of a mail center module of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5-A illustrates schematically an introductory screen shot for adiabetes treatment system of the present invention.

FIG. 5-B illustrates the display resulting from the patient's accessingthe log book section of the display of FIG. 5-A.

FIG. 5-C illustrates the display resulting from the patient's accessinga subsection of the blood glucose center section of the display of FIG.5-A.

FIG. 5-D shows a warning resulting from the patient's failure to have atimely foot checkup, according to the system illustrated in FIG. 5-A.

FIG. 5-E shows a warning resulting from a patient's failure to check ablood glucose level according to the patient's treatment plan, accordingto the system illustrated in FIG. 5-A.

FIG. 5-F shows the display of the system illustrated in FIG. 5-Afollowing the patient's accessing of a display subsection correspondingto the heart.

FIG. 5-G shows the display of the system illustrated in FIG. 5-Ffollowing a patient request for comparative care information on theheart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the ensuing description, the notation {A[j]} is understood to referto a set of A[j], for j taking some values between a minimum value 1 anda maximum value J. The notation A[j] is understood to refer to some(fixed) j.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred architecture fora system of the present invention. A processing means (preferablycomputer software) located on a central server is in communication overremote communication networks with a display means and a set of inputs.The central server processes information for multiple patients, and isthus capable of communicating with multiple display means and inputlocations. The central server comprises a data aggregation means,preferably a database, in communication with the set of inputs and withthe processing means. The data aggregation means collects a subset ofthe data set {D[j]} from the inputs. Data collected by the dataaggregation means is accessed by the processing means. The display meansis located at the patient's home. Preferably, the central server is incommunication with the health provider over the Internet, and with thepatient's home over a cable television delivery line.

The display means preferably comprises a conventional televisionreceiver, and a means for connecting the TV set to a communicationsnetwork, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Preferably, the TV set is connectedto the Internet via a multimedia processor such as a WebTV™. InternetTerminal from WebTV Networks (distributed by Sony). The multimediaprocessor is in communication over a remote network (such as theInternet, a phone line, or cable used for delivery of cable televisionprogramming) with a server at a service provider location.

The multimedia processor connects the processing means on the centralserver to inputs located at the patient's home: a patient feedback meanspreferably comprising a keyboard, and a patient identification meanspreferably comprising a data-bearing card, or “smart card”. Themultimedia processor has a receiving slot for receiving the patientidentification smart card. The patient identification card contains anencrypted patient code, a prescribed treatment for the patient, and aURL address of the processing means. The keyboard allows the patient toprovide a subset of feedback data, including display preferencesspecifying a formatting of the display.

The set of inputs further comprises inputs located at a health careprovider location, including records of: a medical history of thepatient, a standard of care for a general health condition or disease ofthe patient, a prescribed treatment for the patient, and a personalprofile of the patient. The above-incorporated U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/732,158 entitled “Multiple Patient Monitoring System forProactive Health Management” contains further information on dataavailable to the health care provider.

Examples of data specified by the inputs include blood glucose levelhistories, generally acceptable blood glucose levels, dates of doctorexaminations, generally recommended time periods between doctorexaminations, ratings of the patient's interest for a cultural subject(e.g., sports, music), and display customization variables entered bythe patient.

FIG. 2 illustrates generally the processing steps performed on the data{D[j]}. A personalized health model of the patient is generated from ageneralized health model of the patient's health condition and thepatient-specific data {D[j]}. The personalized health modelcharacterizes the patient's current health condition. The personalizedhealth model is defined by a set of parameters {P[k]}, k=1 . . . K. In apreferred embodiment designed for diabetes preventive care, suitableparameters include blood glucose level, conditions of body parts ororgans (e.g., heart, feet), and compliance with treatment and/ormonitoring protocols. Parameters suitable for the characterization ofother diseases include respiratory flow in asthma, blood pressure inhypertension, cholesterol in cardiovascular disease, weight in eatingdisorders, T-cell or viral count in HIV, and frequency or timing ofepisodes in mental health disorders.

The generalized health model specifies the dependence of the values{P[k]} on the data {D[j]}. The dependence is determined by a set offunctions {f[k]}, where P[k]=f[k] ({D[j]}) for all k. That is, the valueP[k] of the kth parameter is specified in general by a function f[k].The function f[k] has as its argument the set of data {D[j]}, i.e. f[k]depends on at least one datum D[j]. The forms of the functions {f[k]}can be readily determined by the skilled artisan according to thedisease under treatment.

For example, parameter P[1] may measure the latest recorded bloodglucose level of the patient, and the datum D[1] may be the latest bloodglucose level recorded in the patient's medical record. Then thefunction f[1] ({D[j]})=D[1], and P[1]=D[1]. Parameter P[2] may measurethe health condition of the patient's feet, which may be defined todepend on parameters such as blood glucose level (D[1]), the timebetween doctor checkups (D[2]), and some other parameter D[j]. ThenP[2]=f[2]{D[j]}=f[2](D[1], D[2], D[j]), wherein the exact form of thefunction f[2] is specified by the generalized health model.

Using the set of parameters {P[k]} and a generalized display model ofthe patient, the processing means generates a personalized display modelof the patient. The personalized display model preferably comprises anHTML file encoding a display comprising a body image. Generatingdisplays using HTML is well known in the art, and will not be discussedhere in detail. The formatting of. the body image is preferablycustomized to the targeted patient, such that the patient identifieswith the body image. A set of the characteristics of the body imagematches a set of predetermined characteristics. In particular, bodyimage characteristics preferably match physical characteristics chosenby the patient. Such characteristics include age, height, gender, weightand/or build, skin color, hair color, and identity (if any) of afictional character. In one embodiment, the body image is a schematicfigure representing the patient. In other embodiments, the body image isa reproduction (e.g., a photograph) of the patient's appearance, arepresentation of a cartoon or fictional character, or a representationof a character in a field of interest of the patient (e.g., a favoritebasketball player or movie actor).

The body image illustrates the personalized health model of the patient.In particular, the body image comprises sections assigned to bodyparts/organs of the patient. The image sections graphically representsthe health conditions of the corresponding patient parts. Particularcharacteristics (e.g., color, shape, blinking rate) of the imagesections are determined by the set of values {P[k]}. In general, eachsection of the body is assigned to at least one parameter P[k]. The bodyimage is preferably an image map, such that the patient can accessinformation on a body part or organ by clicking on the correspondingsection of the body image.

In an embodiment suitable for the treatment of a diabetes patient, anunacceptable value of a parameter measuring a health condition of thepatient's feet leads to a display of swollen feet on the body. Thebody's feet blink if the time period since the last doctor checkup islonger than a predetermined threshold. In an embodiment suitable fordental hygiene education, the teeth in the body image are represented tobe black if a value P[k] measuring a health condition of the patients'teeth is below a predetermined threshold. The appearance of the entirebody is used to characterize the personal health condition of thepatient. For example, for a patient having low blood glucose levels thecorresponding body is displayed to be tired.

In an embodiment used for simulating the effects of hypothetical healthdecisions or events on the patient's health condition, the data set{D[j]} includes a subset of simulation data characterizing a simulatedpersonal health condition of the patient. The displayed body thencontains information on the simulated health condition of the patient.The simulation can be used by the patient to examine, among others, theeffects of hypothetical changes in behavior (e.g., diet and sleeppatterns) on the patient's health condition.

FIG. 3 shows schematically an alternative system for deliveringpersonalized health information, according to the present invention. Apersonal computer at the patient's home comprises aggregation,processing and display means. The computer keyboard is an input. Otherinputs are at a remote location, and are in communication with thecomputer over a remote network. An HTML page illustrating the patient'spersonalized health model is generated on the patient's computer by theprocessing means.

A particular user interface of a system of the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIGS. 4-A through 4-E illustrate thefunctions provided by Health Avatar™, a diabetes management application.FIGS. 5-A through 5-G are schematic depictions of screen shots from thesame application, illustrating the functions of the application.

As shown in FIG. 4-A, a setup wizard is used by the patient to customizethe appearance of the body image, and to enter configuration informationfor hardware and software in communication with the application.Hardware includes a blood glucose meter, a modem, a printer, whilesoftware includes a communications applications for communicating withhealth and service providers.

The body image itself (the Health Avatar™) displays actual or simulatedhealth information of the patient, according to actual or simulatedhealth data (see FIG. 4-B). The patient can use a blood glucose center(FIG. 4-C) to download information from a blood glucose meter, totransfer blood glucose data to the service provider database, totransfer blood glucose data to a logbook, and to display current bloodglucose levels or a history of blood glucose levels. A log book (FIG.4-D) allows the patient to access and modify records of medication,symptoms/events, lab tests, treatment plans, diets, and appointment andcheckup schedules. A mail center (FIG. 4-E) is used by the patient todownload treatment directions from the health provider, to transfer logbook contents to the service provider and/or the health provider, and tocommunicate by email with the health provider.

FIG. 5-A is a schematic depiction of a screen shot 90 of the HealthAvatar™ application. The display comprises several sections: a bodyimage section 100, a log book section 102, a blood glucose centersection 104, a feedback section 106, and a mail center section 108. Thepatient accesses functions of the application by clicking oncorresponding display sections or subsections.

The functions of the log book module become accessible if the patientclicks on log book section 102, as illustrated in FIG. 5-B. A similardisplay (not shown) is generated if the patient clicks on blood glucosecenter section 104. FIG. 5-C illustrates the display after the patientaccesses the “Display Blood Glucose Level” (see FIG. 4-C) subfunction ofthe blood glucose center. Feedback section 106 enables the patient torecord information about his or her health habits.

Body image 100 comprises subsections corresponding to the patient'sorgans and/or body parts. If a particular body part of the patientrequires attention or care, the corresponding subsection of body image100 is highlighted. FIG. 5-D depicts the application display if thediabetes patient neglects care of his or her feet. A display subsectioncorresponding to the patient's feet blinks, and the patient is promptedto make an appointment with a care provider.

The overall appearance of body image section 100 depends on the bloodglucose level of the patient, and on the time since the last recordingof the patient's blood glucose level. FIG. 5-E illustrates theapplication display if the patient fails to record or download his orher blood glucose levels according to a treatment plan.

FIG. 5-F schematically depicts the application display if the patientclicks on a subsection of body image 100 corresponding to the patient'sheart. The patient can request general information about the heart indiabetes patients, about the current and historical conditions of his orher heart, and about other patients approaches to the hearts' care.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the above embodiment maybe altered in many ways without departing from the scope of theinvention. For example, many relative placements of the aggregation,processing, and display means may be suitable in a system of the presentinvention. In particular, the data aggregation means may be incommunication with the processing means over a remote network. Suitableparameters, data sets, and processing functions can be readilydetermined by the skilled artisan for various applications. Systems andmethods of the present invention are suitable for the management of anychronic disease or condition requiring regular medical attention andpatient compliance with a treatment plan, including diabetes, asthma,AIDS, heart and cardiovascular disease, weight control programs, mentalhealth conditions, attention deficit disorder, smoking, and substanceabuse. Many display and patient input implementations, includingnon-HTML-based implementations, can be suitable for use with the presentinvention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determinedby the following claims and their legal equivalents.

1. A method of displaying a customized image representing an individual,comprising the steps of: (A) generating a health model of saidindividual using a computer, as a function of a data set selected from alog of data comprising one or more of medication data, symptoms, events,treatment plans, lab tests, diets, appointment schedule, and checkupschedule; (B) the computer generating said customized image based onsaid health model, said customized image corresponding to at least onebody part of said individual and at least one icon related to healthinformation of said individual, wherein (i) said at least one iconappears and highlights said at least one body part when the body partcorresponding to a portion of said customized image has information tobe displayed and (ii) said customized image displays current andhistorical conditions for one of said body parts in response toactivating said at least one icon; and (C) displaying said customizedimage on a display connected to the computer.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein said customized image further defines a feedbackmechanism comprising a plurality of buttons corresponding to a pluralityof behaviors of said individual.
 3. The method according to claim 1,further comprising the step of: generating a pop-up window on saiddisplay in response to a user selection of said icon.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 3, wherein said icon comprises a log book icon. 5.The method according to claim 4, wherein said pop-up window associatedwith said log book icon comprises one or more buttons corresponding toone or more of (i) medication, (ii) events, (iii) lab tests, (iv)appointments and (v) checkup schedules.
 6. The method according to claim3, wherein said icon comprises one or more parameter icons.
 7. Themethod according to claim 6, wherein said parameter icons correspond toone or more of (i) a blood glucose level, (ii) a respiratory flow, (iii)a blood pressure, (iv) a cholesterol level, (v) a patient weight, (vi) aT-cell count, (vii) a frequency of episodes, (viii) a compliance withtreatment, (ix) a compliance with monitoring and (x) one or more bodypart conditions.
 8. The method according to claim 3, wherein said iconcomprises a mail icon.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein saidpop-up window corresponding to said mail icon contains one or morebuttons corresponding to one or more of (i) sending email, (ii)receiving email, (iii) downloading treatment directions and (iv)transferring a log book to a service provider.
 10. The method accordingto claim 3, wherein said pop-up window illustrates a portion of saiddata set in a graphical form.
 11. The method according to claim 1,wherein said customized image comprises a plurality of appearancesillustrating a plurality of conditions of said individual based on saidhealth model.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidcustomized image further defines one or more highlight regionscorresponding to one or more body parts.
 13. The method according toclaim 12, wherein said customized image further defines one or morepop-up windows associated with said highlight regions.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 13, wherein each of said pop-up windows comprises aplurality of user selectable buttons, each of said buttons correspondingto a particular aspect of said health information.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said customized image comprises one ormore of (i) a schematic figure representation, (ii) a reproduction of anappearance of said individual, (iii) a representation of a cartoon, (iv)a representation of a fictional character and (v) a representation of acharacter in a field of interest of said individual.
 16. A systemcomprising: a processor configured to (i) generate a health model of anindividual using a computer as a function of a data set selected from alog of data comprising one or more of medication data, symptoms, events,treatment plans, lab tests, diets, appointment schedule, and checkupschedule and (ii) generate an image customized based on said healthmodel, said customized image corresponding to at least one body part ofsaid individual and at least one icon related to health information ofsaid individual, wherein (i) said at least one icon appears andhighlights said at least one body part when the body part correspondingto a portion of said customized image has information to be displayedand (ii) said customized image displays current and historicalconditions for one of said body parts in response to activating said atleast one icon; and a display configured to present said customizedimage.
 17. The system according to claim 16, further comprising anaggregator configured to generate said data set.
 18. The systemaccording to claim 17, wherein said aggregator generates said data setbased on one or more of (i) customization data of said display, (ii)medical records, (iii) formularies, (iv) standards of care, (v)prescribed treatment, (vi) a health profile and (vii) simulation data.19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said display is remotelylocated from said aggregator.